How to Plant, Grow, and Divide Hostas. Hostas can transform a shady yard into an elegant, low-maintenance landscape that looks attractive from spring through fall. Unlike most perennials, hostas are grown for their colorful foliage rather than for their flowers. There are hundreds of varieties to choose from and each has its own unique look.
Combining hostas with different foliage colors and textures is all part of the fun. These carefree perennials also make good companions for other shade lovers such as astilbe, bleeding heart, ferns, caladiums and begonias.
Sun and Shade: Hostas grow best in partial shade. In northern areas some varieties will tolerate full sun.
Zone: Hostas are winter hardy in zones 3-9.
When to Plant: Hostas settle in quickly when they are planted in early spring. Moist soil and relatively cool temperatures encourage strong root growth.
How to Plant Hostas
Loosen the soil to a depth of 12”. Mix in several handfuls of compost and some all-purpose granular fertilizer (following package directions)
Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the roots. Position the plant so the crown (where roots meet stem) is 1” below the natural soil line.
Cover the roots with soil, firm lightly, and water well.
Where to Plant Hostas
Hostas thrive in rich, well-drained soil. Once the plants are well established, they will tolerate relatively dry soil, but consistent moisture is best. If deer are a problem in your area, plant hostas near your house or in other areas that are off limits to deer. Here are some popular ways to use hostas around your home and garden:
Perennial Gardens
Though hostas are usually grown for their foliage, most varieties also produce attractive, bell-shaped flowers in midsummer. Some hosta flowers are fragrant, and all are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. In a shady perennial garden, hostas are excellent companions for bleeding heart, foamflower, hellebores, epimedium, pulmonaria and primroses.
Woodlands
Planting an assortment of hostas is a beautiful way to line a woodland path. Leaf color ranges from dark green to steely blue, chartreuse and creamy white. Many cultivars have variegated foliage with two or even three different color combinations.
Ground Cover
Hostas can be used to create a lush, maintenance-free ground cover beneath trees or around shrubs.
Lawns
It can be challenging to maintain a nice-looking lawn beneath large shade trees. Instead, consider replacing the grass with a massed planting of large-leaved hostas.
Bulb Companions
Hostas are excellent companions for spring-blooming bulbs. They unfurl their leaves just as daffodils, scilla, crocus and other spring bulbs are fading away.
Containers
When planting a decorative container garden for a shady porch or patio, consider adding a small or medium-leaved hosta. The foliage complements colorful annuals and will stay fresh all season long. In the fall, simply remove the plant and add it to your garden.
